Grace Lau, PhD

Head of Institute for Translational Research  

Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation  

In her role as Head of Institute for Translational Research in Hong Kong Science Park, Grace together with her team are responsible to drive transformation in healthcare by expediting the translation of innovative biomedical technologies to benefit patients and our society, establishing Hong Kong as a preeminent hub for biomedical innovation, product development and commercialization.  

Grace is an all round professional and leader in the biopharma industry with over 20 years’ experience and expertise spanning across clinical research, regulatory affairs, sales and marketing and general management responsibilities in different market environments and geographic locations.  

Prior to joining the pharmaceutical industry, Grace was an academic staff of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, and a guest lecturer for a number of other local and overseas institutions of higher education.  

Jorge Cortell

senior advisor for health care and life sciences

Jorge Cortell is the senior advisor for health care and life sciences. A serial entrepreneur, Jorge has founded six bootstrapped and profitable startups (five exits and one shutdown, including a paper unicorn) in three countries and across five industries. His pioneering innovations in health care technology—used by hospitals in 15 countries to diagnose and treat millions of patients—span the areas of AI, precision medicine, clinical genomics, medical imaging, digital pathology, and augmented reality. During his time as venture partner at NLC, the largest health tech venture studio in Europe, Jorge also co-built seven startups.

As an educator, Jorge has delivered keynote talks at events like HIMSS and RSNA; given guest lectures at institutions like Oxford, Harvard, MIT, and Stanford; and taught innovation at the Polytechnic University of Valencia and the Open University of Catalonia. He was also an Innovation Fellow at the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences’ Technology and Entrepreneurship Center.

Jorge is also a former professional basketball player and member of the European Commission Expert Group on Venture Philanthropy and Social Investments.

A first-generation college graduate from the University of Oxford (computer science), MIT (Entrepreneurship Development Program), and the University of Valencia (postgraduate in Medical Genetics), Jorge has received innovation and academic awards from NASA, California Governor, HIMSS, IBM, Digital Pathology Association, Frost & Sullivan, and the Wall Street Journal.

Tim Jarrett

Site Head - Life Lab

Tim Jarrett works across lab and general operations to provide residents with a curated entrepreneurial environment that promotes community, collaboration, and success. Prior to joining the Life Lab team, Tim established his career in the medical device and drug delivery realm at companies like Ocular Therapeutix and Instylla. Having worked on the bench as a scientist, and in the OR training physicians for clinical use, he has a passion for seeing ideas become a reality.

Tim received his BA in Cellular and Molecular Biology from Connecticut College. Outside of work, he loves to experience different cultures through food, travel and art.

Weng-Li YOON 

PhD MBA  

Associate Director (Therapeutics)  

Institute for Translational Research  

Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation 

Weng Li is an R&D biotech leader with 20+ years of international experience in the startup and multinational corporation environment, based in the UK and Hong Kong.  

In her current role at HKSTP, Weng Li and her team oversees the admission and support for all therapeutics companies in HKSTP with modalities such as small molecules, biologics, cell and gene therapy, Traditional Chinese medicine as well as nutrition. She also leads the Clinical Translational Catalyst which provides funding support for IND-enabling studies as well as clinical trials to HKSTP companies. In addition, she serves on the Joint Management Committee with Hong Kong University and Chinese University of Hong Kong to establish the PIC/S GMP pilot manufacturing facilities for cell gene and therapy.